Phil Spector murder trial: Jury begins deliberations

The jury in the Phil Spector murder retrial have begun their deliberations, 18 months after a mistrial was declared when a panel failed to reach a verdict.

Phil SpectorPhoto: GETTY

By Caroline Hedley in Los Angeles

12:44AM GMT 27 Mar 2009

Music impresario Spector is accused of killing B-movie actress Lana Clarkson after allegedly shooting her in the early hours of Feb 3, 2003.

He had met the 40-year-old Barbarian Queen star at the House Of Blues music venue in West Hollywood, where she had been working as a VIP hostess, just hours before her death. Her body was found in Spector's mansion, in a Los Angeles suburb, with a single gunshot wound to her mouth.

Spector - who pioneered the 1960s 'Wall of Sound' recording technique - alleges that Miss Clarkson died as a result of an "accidental suicide", insisting she "kissed the gun" before shooting herself. His lawyers claim that Ms Clarkson took her own life as she was depressed over her failing career.

Her death was ruled as a homicide by the medical examiner's office and prosecutors argue that Spector, 69, allegedly had a history of violence and aggression towards women.

Spector's first trial ended in September 2007 after a jury deadlocked 10-2 in favour of a murder conviction. Under Californian law, a decision to convict or acquit must be unanimous.

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The current jury of six men and six women are also allowed to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter. If found guilty of murder, Spector - who has been free on $1million (£690,000) bail since 2003 - faces life in prison. A manslaughter charge would carry a custodial sentence of up to 8 years.